Spot on so far, John!

Frankee a tiny bit better than Eamonn.

Frankee's is definitely better for me though still pretty cringy.

Really like the Mario Winans one and would be a little higher.

29

Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid 20 (4 weeks - 11th Dec) 3.4/10

I may be being a little tough on this 3rd run on top for the Christmas staple song which sees Bono grabbing his 3rd top spot of the year (among others) and reprising his original version contribution. A host of 2000's stars drop in and the added rap doesn't do it any favours, there's no major spine-tingling moments, this version is a little gloomier than the original (perhaps appropriately) but avoids the cheese of version 2. It isn't ever likely to get played at Christmas over the original any time in this reality, but it was nice to see Paul McCartney contributing to the A side 20 years on from his B-side add-on, and being able to claim an appearance on chart-toppers in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 2000's and 2020's as a solo, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, as a four-act collaboration and a celebrity choir. It's all nicely done but that extended outro puts me in a bad mood.

28

McFly - Five Colours In Her Hair (2 weeks - 10th April) 3.5/10

And thus debuts the new boyband, albeit with actual instruments playing and a fab Back To The Future-referencing name. I wasn't really target-audience at the time, and this pseudo-rockpop US-vibed singalong upbeat song wasnt really my thing, but it's probably their most memorable song. It's jolly enough, and I like the little harmony bridge bit. It's not one I'm going to choose to play though. If I'm opting for guitar boybands it'll be The Monkees. That said, they are all still very affable and likeable, Busted gave them a leg-up, and I'm pretty sure they will have had the same fanbase but I think they got way better in the 2010's after the number ones had stopped, when I rated them quite a bit. 3.5/10

27

Busted - Who's David (1 week - 28th Feb) 4/10

Talking of Busted, and another I havent heard since 2004. Starts off dreary, then picks up, then plods, then the Chorus picks it up again. Probably spoke to teenagers who had been dumped and Busted were popular and sometimes good (Year 3000) - they have another yet to come in the 2004 list, as do McFly. I know it bypassed me more or less at the time due to a family tragedy that week, so it's not really surprising I don't remember it. From a 2025 point of view it's OK, but not that memorable even on repeat play.

I bought Band Aid 20 and still enjoy it as a change from the original in the festive season.

McFly's song was quite a good, catchy debut for me and Busted's was maybe the low point of their singles but still average.

I quite like the Mario Winans song too, a smooth track and nice use of the sample, although not particularly original.

Frankee I just found funny and shameless but - yes - crap. I could never work out if Eamon was in on it or not.

'Five Colours In Her Hair' is my favourite to drop out so far. There is a bit of tonal whiplash towards the end, with the more reflective, thoughtful bridge launching straight back into the upbeat catchiness that came before, but otherwise I do quite like the surf guitar direction for their first single.

I probably have a soft spot because these kind of sounds were my first taste of sixties inspirations as a kid before actually diving into the decade itself

I think I’d put both McFly and Band Aid 20 a fair bit higher. “5 Colours In Her Hair” is nothing remarkable but a nice song that the likes of The Hollies could easily have done.

I’m really quite fond of Dizzee’s rap on Band Aid 20 and I think it was generally a pretty good effort at bringing the song into the new century.

Busted - yeah that one’s pretty meh and the lyrics are comically bad.

I can think of at least 3 worse stinkers to come though.

Like the Band Aid 20 one so would put that in the top half personally. McFly also in the top 20. Good debut that was. Busted's is alright but they've done better.

Some very dreary hits in that collection of 2004 #1 singles so far, and no true losses, though McFly would be higher for me.

I really like '5 Colours', although prefer their other one still to come.

'Who's David' is a very forgettable single from Busted. Kind of like a You Said No/Year 3000 situation where the number two at a similar time (Air Hostess) felt a lot bigger than it.

5CIHH is a tune tbh and one of my favourites from McFly!

McFly & Busted are t big losses for me. I think the Band Aid 20 version is my favourite of the 4, though it’s probably in the right place.

On 09/10/2025 at 11:18, Jade said:

'Five Colours In Her Hair' is my favourite to drop out so far. There is a bit of tonal whiplash towards the end, with the more reflective, thoughtful bridge launching straight back into the upbeat catchiness that came before, but otherwise I do quite like the surf guitar direction for their first single.

I probably have a soft spot because these kind of sounds were my first taste of sixties inspirations as a kid before actually diving into the decade itself

Now you mention it, yes there is a bit of surfer vibe to it, and the sixties inspiration is very welcome!

26

Usher - Burn (2 weeks - 10th July) 4.2/10

Second chart-topper of 2004 for Usher and first in this run-down, and Burn is back to his first 90's chart-topper slow r'n'b vibes, stuttering tinitus rhythms chattering on to little effect. It's slow, soul-by-numbers, and I must admit I have totally forgotten everything about this track. There's no real hook, Usher emotes over nothing much, and it just leaves me indifferent without hating it. How on Earth did this get to the top?! Ah, Yeah, of course, follow-up syndrome. It makes that sound even better! Better songs called Burn? Pet Shop Boys. Doctor & The Medics. 4.2/10

So unbelievably bland

25

McFly - Obviously (1 week - 3rd July) 4.5/10

Obviously a second fan-base number one as McFly make the most of their 15 minutes (or 15 years) of fame, with a jaunty singalong number. Trouble is, it's hard for me to remember the melody and the lead vocal sounds a little constipated at times. I liked the strings coming in, but other than that it's at best decent and a jolly minor step up from Five Colours In Her Hair and Busted's Who's David number one. 4.5/10

Agree “Burn” is very dull. “Obviously” is just average pop - much prefer “5 Colours…”.

My trio of doom are all still in though!

24

Sam and Mark - Measure Of A Man (1 week - 21st Feb) 4.6/10

OK, I've never heard this before in my life, I wasnt aware it was a double A side, and I had no idea Sam & Mark were TV Pop Idol-based. It's formulaic and very MOR for sure, but it's actually pretty tuneful certainly and not as annoying as some from 2004. I like the vocals and it builds gradually without going OTT. Quite nice and I was totally expecting to rate this as bottom of the list, but I get a bit soppier as I get older. Saw Mark Rhodes on Richard Osman's House Of Games a while ago and he was quite affable.

'Burn' is such a snoozefest.

'Obviously' is another McFly song that I have a bit of a soft spot for as my dad used to play it on guitar all the time.